Frame for handbags, purses, or the like



June 2, E936. G. s. MERK FRAME FOR HANDBAGS, PURSES OR THE LIKE Filed May 24, 1954 3mm @enige fF/ Patented June 2, 1936 UNITED STATI-s ATENT OFFIQIE'I FRAME FOR HANDBAGS, PURSES, R THE LIKE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to handbags and purses or like structures, and more particularly to the frames for handbags, purses or like structures.

An object of this invention is the provision of 5 a frame for handbags which embodies the minimum number of parts so as to reduce the manufacturing cost of the completed handbag, while at the same time producing a frame which will withstand hard usage.

Another object of this invention is to provide a frame wherein the usual type of ller is eliminated, the edges of the bag structure being firmly clamped between clamping flanges or jaws fixed to the frame.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a novel means for clamping the bag structure thereto which includes anges between which the material of the handbag is rmly held, the clamping devices not only reducing the number of parts in the frame, but also providing a simple means for securing the handbag to the frame.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a frame wherein the confronting faces of the two frame portions will be smooth and the clamping means will not become loosened during the use of the handbag.

Other objects will be apparent from the following detailed description of this invention, and

from' the drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a handbag frame constructed according to an embodiment of this invention having a fragmentary portion of a handbag structure secured thereto;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the frame shown in Figure l;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional View taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view of a modied form of this invention;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 of another embodiment of this invention.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4 of a further embodiment of this invention, and

Figure 7 is a front view of a modified form of the embodiment shown in Figure 2.

Referring to the drawing wherein like characters of reference designate like parts, the numerals IB and Il designate complementary frame sections which are hinged or otherwise secured together for movement relative to each other, as at I3. The two frame sections II) and II are identical in construction, and the description of one of these sections will apply equally as well to the other section.

(Cl. ISD-29) These framesections I0 and II are adapted to have secured thereto the free edges of a handbag B, which is shownV in fragmentary form in Figures l and 3. The frame sections I0 and II, each comprise as shown in Figures l, 2 and 3 a single piece of metal having a flat inner wall I2. This wall I2 at its upper or outer edge is bent outwardly as at I4 so as to form a flange or outer clamping member, which in the present instance is corrugated .so that the material of which the 10 bag B is constructed will be firmly held in place.

The lower, or inner edge of the wall I2 is reverted or bent upon itself as at I5, and this reverted portion I5 is preferably disposed in face abutting relation to the outer face of the wall I2, l5 and may be secured firmly against the outer face of the wall I2 in any desired manner, such as spot welding, soldering, riveting or the like. The outer wall portion I5 has its upper or outer edge bent angularly as at I8 to form a second flange 20` this form, however, the outer ange or clamping 30 member Ida has a smooth or flat surface, and this clamping member Illa. is made integral with the inner flange or clamping member Ia by forming a channelled member substantially U- shaped in transverse section with the bight I'I 35 thereof secured in any desired manner as by soldering, welding or similar means, to the outer surface of the wall member I2a. In order to firmly ciamp the bag between the clamping flanges Uta and Ia, have provided a rib or piercing 40 member I3 on the outer edge of the inner clamping member 55a which is bent in the direction of the outer flange Ida. Initially the two clamping members lita and Ia. are disposed in divergent relation so that the material of the bag may be readily placed therebetween. When the edges of the bag are placed between the clamping flanges Ilia and Ia the two members may be pressed together until they assume the position shown 50 in Fig. 4, and in this position the rib I8 will compress the material of the bag more tightly than the clamping members Ma and Ital and at a point outwardly of the edge of the bag. It will, of course be understood that if desired only 55 the inner clamping member Ia may be bent on an oblique angle to the bight I'I.

Another embodiment of this invention is shown in Figure 5, and in this embodiment the wall member I2b has the outer clamping flange or member I4b integral therewith and bent at a right angle thereto. The outer wall I5b in this form of the invention is not integral with the wall |212, but is secured in face abutting relation to the wall I2b in any desired manner, as by soldering, welding, or any other well known securing means. The upper or outer edge of the wall Ib is bent angularly as at Ib to form a second clamping ange or member substantially parallel with the flange I4b. The outer or free edge of the flange I 6b has a rib or material piercing member I 8b which extends ln the direction of the outer ange I 4b. y

A further embodiment of this invention is shown in Figure 6, wherein the inner or body wall I2c has the outer flange or clamping member I4c integral therewith. In this form, however, the inner or second clamping flange Ic is secured in edge abutting relation to the outer surface of the body wall I2c. The means by which the member |60 may be attached to the Wall |20V may be by welding, soldering or any other conventional securing means. The inner member I6c has a rib or material piercing member Ic on the free edge thereof which is adapted to hold the material of the bag in the same manner as the rib or elongated tang Figure 4.

In the assembly of a handbag having a frame as hereinbefore described, the free edges of the bag, normally constituting the mouth of the bag are inserted between the clamping flanges or members I4 and I6, and initially at least one of these flanges may be bent with the outer edge thereof spaced from the adjacent edge of theV other member or flange a distance greater than the inner edge. The edges of the bag material are then inserted between the two clamping members or anges, and then at least one of these clamping members or flanges is bent toward the other so as to firmly grip the bag material and firmly hold the material to the frame.

In Figure 7 is shown a partial front view, broken off, showing the lower edge I 6 provided with a plurality of pressed out tits 20 having sharp points which upon pressure being applied to the member I6, against the member I4, firmly hold the leather orf other covering.

I8 shown in- It will be apparent from the foregoing that by providing a frame structure as hereinbefore described the problem of assembling the parts of the bag is simplified, and at the same time the constructional costs of the bag are reduced con- 5 siderably.

While I have shown several forms of a frame for a handbag or purse, it will be apparent that further changes may be possible, such changes being limited only by the scope of the following l0 claims:-

What I claim is:

1. As a new article of manufacture, a handbag frame comprising a pair of hinged members, each having a flat portion parallel to each other 15 and contacting face to, face when the frame is closed, and each having a pair of bag material clamping members at the upper outer portion of the hat portions, extending outwardly substantially at right angles to the flat portions, the out- 20 er surfaces of the pair of upper clamping members forming when the bag is closed a substantially continuous surface.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a handbag frame ,comprising a pair of hinged members, 25 each having a flat portion parallel to each otherand contacting face to face when the frame is` closed, and each having a pair of bag material` clamping members at the upper outer portion of the flat portions, extending outwardly substan- 30 tially at right angles to the fiat portions, the outer surfaces of the pair of upper clamping mem-i bers forming when the bag is closed a substantially continuous surface, each hinged member being formed by a piece of metal bent upon it- 35 self near the central part of the piece, and having each of the free ends forming the clamping members in spaced relation to each other.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a handbag frame comprising a pair of hinged members, each 40 having a fiat portion parallel to each other and contacting face to face when the frame is closed and each having a pair of bag material clamping members at the upper outer portion of the flat portions, extending outwardly substantially members being provided with corrugations.

GEORGE S. MERK. 

